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Celebrating the Women Breaking Barriers in the Sciences

International Women’s Day is not just about highlighting women’s achievements, it’s also about forging a call to action for accelerating gender balance across the world. Nobel Media and Microsoft have created a unique way that celebrates some of science’s most influential women while inspiring the next generation of young females to break gender barriers and change the world.  

 

 

By Kaitlyn Warias

 


 

To kick off Women’s History Month and promote #BalanceforBetter, Nobel Media and Microsoft have collaborated to highlight the achievements of women who broke new ground in physics, chemistry, and medicine. As an interactive web experience, Women Who Changed Science, offers a glimpse into the extraordinary lives and contributions of female Nobel Prize winners who have led to the acceptance of science as a real career for women.

The innovative platform, powered by Microsoft AI technology, launches Friday, March 8th on International Women’s Day, and provides users with the opportunity to explore the memorable stories of women who have had an incredible impact in science. Featuring luminaries like Marie Curie, who harnessed the promise of radioactivity, and Rita Levi-Montalcini, who redefined how our bodies work, the digital site weaves together the biographies of these pioneers through images, archival video footage, and their own words.

Nobel Media has a long-term ambition to inspire innovation and creativity throughout the world, empowered by the achievements and stories of all Nobel Laureates. Their goal is to stimulate interest in science, literature and peace in line with Alfred Nobel’s vision and legacy to the greatest benefit of humankind.

Women who changed science shines a spotlight on these trailblazers through their multimedia online platform built with Azure Cognitive Services APIs. The AI-powered website offers dynamic storytelling within the web experience, enhancing our understanding of each prizewinning discovery and providing a gateway to explore more notable women in science.

 

“I hope that the stories we share will create an interest in science among a new generation of young women and girls and inspire them to pursue education and careers in science.”

 

“We embarked on the partnership with Microsoft with an idea that Microsoft technology could create innovative ways to emphasize this work and that we together could start global conversations about the discoveries and actions of the people that have been awarded the Nobel Prize,” says Amy Sorokas, Microsoft Director of Brand Partnerships.

Women Who Changed Science brings to life the unique contributions of each honoree while exploring the interconnecting lineage of women in the sciences. Raising awareness of their tremendous impact, the site aims to excite and motivate the next generation of female scientists.

“By using the latest technology, Nobel can tell stories in ways that create a stronger connection with laureates. We can share their personal stories of grit and perseverance in a way that makes brings the stories of laureates to life and, hopefully, inspires more young women to get involved in STEM,” says Sorokas.

This unique partnership between Nobel Media and Microsoft is part of a greater initiative

to build inclusion in STEM fields and encourage more women to pursue careers in science. Helping girls find relatable role models within STEM is a huge step in that direction.

“I hope that the stories we share will create an interest in science among a new generation of young women and girls and inspire them to pursue education and careers in science. Many Nobel Laureates talk about the importance of role models and how encouragement in their early years made them pursue a journey in science. Through this new section at nobelprize.org where we highlight Nobel Prize-awarded women, visitors can see themselves in the Laureates’ stories and be inspired to seek knowledge, be curious and dare to follow their own path,” says Magnus Gylje, Chief Digital Officer at Nobel Media.

Strengthening diversity and creating more equal opportunity for women ultimately incites innovation and sparks breakthroughs. Women Who Changed Science transforms not only how we experience the odds-defying stories of grit behind the successful discoveries of these laureates, but also emboldens the next generation of young women to change our world.